Inadequate Questions Deserve Inadequate Answers
When I tell people I'm aiming for a PhD in evolutionary biology, they almost always respond by asking what I will "get" out of the degree. Previously, I've launched into a monologue about how graduate degrees differ from many undergraduate degrees and trade school certificates; that I'm not educating myself for a single position with a range of possible employment opportunities, but rather for a single field with a range of possible positions, each with their own employment opportunities.
Monologue over, the conversation typically devolves into something like...
"Right, but what will you do for a living?"
"I don't understand the question... I'll 'do' evolutionary biology..."
"Oh... So you'll be a teacher or something?"
Not exactly productive, but I've found a solution in meme form:
From now on, I shall simply say, "I'll get some sort of idea what I'm doing."
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July 19th, 2012 - 12:30
“I’ll get a step closer to global domination! Soon, my war-weasels will overrun lower manhattan and… um. I mean. I’ll… be eligible for a lot of things, and I’ll know which one to aim for when I get closer.” And then only really interested or interesting people will pursue any farther.
July 19th, 2012 - 14:21
It’s a very mundane question to ask someone. What will you “get?” Our culture is too stuck in its MBA mentality, strictly trained to equate “take classes” to “make money.”
You will be superior. You will be further educated, and will have completed a major life task. You will get opportunities from it, for which your knowledge, skills and work ethic can be applied, even if unrelated. You will be a %&$#! expert on a subject, and when difficult subjects are discussed, they will need an expert.
Also, as Dannyboy pointed out, war weasels. DOCTORATE-level war weasels.
July 19th, 2012 - 14:22
… The only question I’d ask would be something along the lines of, “oh, cool! Would you be more into field work, research, theory?”